HZPROD prepares to drop debut EP

HZPROD is an artist whose music cannot be separated from the life that shaped it; born in Bosnia during the war, later raised in New York and now based in Qatar, his path has been paved by movement, disruption and perspective. That sense of displacement runs through everything he creates, forming the backbone of a sound that sits somewhere between cinematic alternative hip hop and deeply personal storytelling. Each track feels informed by real life experience, where memory and environment are not just influences but essential components of the music itself.

Operating under the HZPROD moniker, his work quickly began to take shape through collaborations with artists such as ShoeGang and Zombie Juice of Flatbush Zombies. These early connections positioned him in a space where production acts as a story-driven force in its own right and his debut single “War Within” introduced that vision last September, signalling the arrival of a producer focused on message as much as sound.

That direction has continued to play out through subsequent releases, where boom bap impact is blended with more experimental and emotionally focused elements. Tracks like “Dreamer,” featuring Marco Vernice and Siggas, demonstrate this balance clearly, moving between intensity and reflection while addressing themes of inequality, exploitation and determination. The song expands in scope, touching on global realities while maintaining a sense of personal context.

Now, HZPROD prepares to unveil his most ambitious work thus far with the upcoming EP titled War Torn, set for release on the 28th of May. Taking shape as a cinematic hip hop project, the record operates as a humanitarian-driven body of work exploring conflict, determination and hope. Rather than centring on a single voice, War Torn is constructed as a collaborative platform, bringing together a diverse range of artists including ShoeGang, Zombie Juice, The Game, KXNG Crooked, Charles Hamilton, Marco Vernice, Sashaa and Siggas.

This approach allows the project to function as a broader conversation, where storytelling and sound design work together to encourage empathy and reflection. Set up by the intro piece “Save The Children,” the buzz of synth gives way to lively vocalisations and traditional instrumentation before shifting with the punch of drums and intense vocal sample to glide into a hip hop sphere.

“A.F.R.I.C.A” then offers a profoundly reflective exploration of survival, identity and systemic struggle, forged through dark, atmospheric production, the track creates a powerful platform for examining the tension between ambition and limitation, highlighting the realities faced in environments shaped by inequality. Led by featured rappers Marco Vernice, Siggas and Sashaa, it’s a piece that leans heavily into message, using music as a vehicle to bring overlooked perspectives into focus.

“War Within” captures a more immediate intensity, opening with murky textures and eerie tones before expanding into a full-bodied arrangement driven by punching drums and commanding vocal performances. It stands as a defining statement of HZPROD’s ability to bring together atmosphere with impact, creating music that feels at once immersive and direct.

“Peace?” takes a contemplative route, featuring KXNG Crooked and The Game to offer a track where the concept of peace itself is questioned, framed against a world defined by conflict and generational trauma. Wrapped up in a gripping hip hop soundscape cut with bright synths and intricate lead guitar work, it’s a truly powerful moment perfectly distilled in KXNG Crooked’s line “while the world waits around for you rappers to speak,” offering a truly arresting moment on the EP.

Another new track comes with “Slave Music” which continues this thread, bringing together Charles Hamilton and Marco Vernice for a confrontational exploration of freedom, identity and control. The track’s gritty boom bap influence is stacked with enthralling tension, amplifying the project’s mission for pairing traditional elements with a broader, more experimental framework. Closing the EP with outro “Ascension,” HZPROD brings the release to a slick conclusion with an engaging instrumental jam that pairs crisp beats, immersive synths and airy lead guitar lines.

War Torn represents a defining moment for HZPROD via a project built on purpose, reflecting a commitment to creativity, awareness and impact. By pairing hip hop with social commentary, he delivers an emphatic a statement of intent, a result of experience and a reflection of the world as he sees it.